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Added 6 October 2026

fire

/ˈfaɪ.ə/ noun

In Latin: ignis, focus, flamma Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about fire at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A (usually self-sustaining) chemical reaction involving the bonding of oxygen with carbon or other fuel, with the production of heat and the presence of flame or smouldering.
An instance of this chemical reaction, especially when intentionally created and maintained in a specific location to a useful end (such as a campfire or a hearth fire).
We sat about the fire singing songs and telling tales.
The occurrence, often accidental, of fire in a certain place, causing damage and danger.
There was a fire at the school last night and the whole place burned down.

adjective

Amazing; excellent.
This is fire, keep up the amazing work!

verb

To set (something, often a building) on fire.
To heat as with fire, but without setting on fire, as ceramic, metal objects, etc.
If you fire the pottery at too high a temperature, it may crack.
To drive away by setting a fire.

interjection

Command to shoot with firearms.

Origin

From Middle English fyr, from Old English fȳr (“fire”), from Proto-West Germanic *fuir, from *fuïr, a regularised form of Proto-Germanic *fōr (“fire”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *péh₂wr̥.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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